Join us at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) main campus in Unity on Saturday, June 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a day filled with skill-sharing, delicious food, and fun activities. This free, family-friendly event offers a wide array of hands-on activities suitable for all ages.
Since 2012, Farm & Homestead Day has been a volunteer-driven event where experts joyfully share their knowledge. This interactive day provides participants with hands-on experiences in various rural and sustainable living skills. From building toad abodes and potting plants to learning fiber spinning and scythe mowing, there’s something for everyone.
“We’re thrilled to invite everyone to this year’s Farm & Homestead Day,” says Timothy Boston, community engagement coordinator at MOFGA. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn new skills, enjoy delicious food, and connect with our vibrant community. Whether you’re a seasoned homesteader or just curious, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Come share in the fun and make lasting memories with us.”
The day’s workshops include woodworking, fiber crafts and repair, and cooking demonstrations. Woodworking sessions will teach participants how to shape wood using steam to create kitchen tools, which they can take home. This skill of steam bending wood is also valuable for building furniture and boats.
Fiber craft workshops will cover spinning with drop spindles and wheels, dyeing with locally grown and foraged plants, and weaving on various looms. Skills in weaving, knitting, and rug hooking will also be shared. Participants are welcome to bring their own projects or join a class. Sewing workshops will feature the use of a treadle sewing machine, mending techniques, and making a deerskin pouch, providing practical tips and tricks for home use.
Cooking and preserving skills will also be on display. Learn how to preserve garden produce through fermentation, cook traditional bean hole beans, and capture wild yeast for sourdough starters and home-baked breads.
The day will kick off with traditional tea and crumpets, followed by a choice of workshops. Attendees are encouraged to bring vegetables for the stone soup and a dish to share at the potluck lunch, which will cater to vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike. These hearty meals will provide energy for a day full of work and play! The event will include various musical demonstrations, ensuring that everyone ends the day dancing and singing.
For more information about Farm & Homestead Day, please visit https://www.mofga.org/trainings/annual-events/farm-and-homestead-day/.
